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Schedule 4.—Trees and Seeds sent from Nursery to Plantations, &c., 1907-8

Hanmkr Springs Nursery, Canterbury. (Area, 34 acres; approximate altitude, 1,225 ft.) The rainfall recorded for the past twelve months was considerably in excess of the previous year's fall : 4844 in. falling on 116 days, compared with a total of 34"71 in. on 117 days during 1906-7. The heaviest monthly fall during the year was 1211 in. during September, and the lowest 0"18 in. during February. The highest temperature recorded during the year was 98° Fahr. on the 29th January, anil the minimum 18° on the sth August. Although the rainfall for the whole year was not exceptionally low, the average fal! for tinfour principal growing-months (November to February) only amounted to I*s in., consequently, the growth of all classes of nursery stock haa been much below the usual, and the amount of labour required in watering seed-beds was greatly increased. Transplanting of one-year-old trees was commenced on the 12th August, and completed on the 24th October. Owing to very wet weather prevailing during Septumber, this work was in progress much longer than usual. The number of trees lined oui was 1,610,661, at an average cost per thousand of Is. 5Jd. Owiiiii' to the very dry summer experienced, the percentage of deaths amongst lined-out trees was somewhat higher than usual, amounting to 5 per cent, in larch and from 10 per cent, to 15 per cent., amongst pines. Lined-out larch made fail growth during the year, and more of these will be suitable for transfer to the plantation during the coming planting season, the height of this crop averaging from 6 in. to 15 in. Pinus Larieio seem to have been affected most by the drought, but*this is probably due to this species having been lined out rather late in the season ; only a small percentage of these will be large enough for transfer to the plantation. Seed-sowing was commenced on the 25th October, and completed on the 4th November, favourable weather being experienced while this work was in progress. All seed sown germinated well, with the single exception of Picea titchentit, which was practically a failure. The crop of seedling larch is a particularly fine one, the average height of plants being 4 in., and the approximate number in seed-beds 1,000,000 plants. The various species of pine-seed germinated rather thinly, lmt the plants are much stronger than if grown more thickly in beds. A small amount of alder-seed sown produced an excellent crop of sturdy plants of an average height of 8 in. : most of these will be suitable to transfer direct to the plantation without lining out. The number of trees raised from seed during the year was 1,695,000, valued at £1,693 10s., and the number of trees raised in the nursery to date since its inception is 4,441,331, valued at £8,375 19s. 7d. On the 31st March the total number of trees of all ages in the nursery was 2,986,200, and their value £4,865 Bs. 6d.

Date. Where sent. Name of Tree. Number. Date. Number. Value per Thousand. Total Value. I! Pinus Austriaca . 133,000 ipril *nd Mav Gimmerburn Plantation a ■ ;■ ",000 1 .. 36,000 250,800 £ s. d. £ s. d. 3 0 0 399 0 0 3 0 0 216 0 0 3 0 0 29 8 0 4 0 0 144 0 0 788 8 0 une.. .. Survey Paddock [ Bta. l«g-- .. 11,600 27,125 une .. .. Hanmer Springs | ■■ 1,200 3 0 0 34 16 0 3 0 0 46 11 6 V W W \ • r t a \s 81 7 6 2 0 0 0 8 0 2 5 0 2 5 0 October .. Tapanui Nursery .. 301b. Pinus Tjaricio seed 2 13 0 £21/10/ cwt. , 5 15 2 788 8 0 81 7 6 2 13 0 % Gimmerburn Reserve .. .. 250,800 Survey Paddock .. .. 27,125 Hanmer Springs .. .. 1,200 279,125 Tapanui Nursery .. 801b. seed 872 8 G 5 15 2 Total 878 3 8 ; l i A. W. Re IBEKTS, Nurseryman in Charge.